STA, 8 September 2021 - Responding to an allegation of discrimination leveraged by a youth trade union, the Faculty of Medicine in Maribor has said it did not accept any non-EU first-year candidates for the coming academic year because of a shortage of staff and space constrains.

This year the faculty, acting on the government's decision to increase enrolment posts, increased the number of posts for first-year students from Slovenia and the EU by 10 to 106, which it said is its upper limit.

While not accepting any foreigners from non-EU countries, the faculty accepted two ethnic Slovenians without Slovenian citizenship, it told the STA on Wednesday.

Under the country's higher education rules, ethnic Slovenians without Slovenian citizenship are prioritised over foreigners from non-EU countries, it explained.

The reaction comes a day after the Mladi Plus trade union accused the Maribor and Ljubljana medical faculties of "discrimination based on nationality" for turning down all non-EU citizens who wanted to get enrolled in first year.

It found it particularly problematic the candidates had received the news when it had been already too late to apply at other faculties, and cited rather vague reasons given for not even considering the candidates' applications.

The trade union said that 123 third-country candidates had been turned down, of whom 101 at the Ljubljana faculty and the rest in Maribor. Its data shows that foreign students represent almost 10% of all students studying in Slovenia, of whom more than half come from the Western Balkans.

The Maribor faculty said today that it had based its decision on a similar decision by the Ljubljana Faculty of Medicine.

In February, the government increased the number of available posts for students of medicine at both medical faculties by 50 to 271. It also increased the number of posts for ethnic Slovenians without Slovenian citizenship and for students from non-EU countries by 88 to 2,365 posts for 2021/2022.

STA, 7 September 2021 - The latest in a series of blood lead tests in three-year-olds living near the shuttered lead and zinc mine in Mežica has shown that blood lead values in children have increased on average compared to last year, however the situation has nevertheless improved in the past three years. The level of concern has been exceeded in 6% of the children.

The National Institute of Public Health (NIJZ) continues to conduct these annual screenings as part of a programme aimed at rehabilitating the environment in the heavily polluted Upper Mežica Valley.

In the spring, the local unit of the institute called on 129 candidates from the Mežica and Črna na Koroškem municipalities to participate in the study. A total of 81 blood samples were collected and 66 passed muster for testing.

The elevated risk threshold, set at 100 microgrammes per litre of blood, was exceeded in four children or 6.1% of the total.

This is somewhat higher than in the past two years and is slightly above the target of the 15-year environmental remediation programme, which is defined as less than 5% of the children exceeding the elevated risk threshold by 2022.

All the participants with blood values above the level of concern this year come from the Črna na Koroškem municipality. The highest value recorded was 163 microgrammes per litre of blood.

On the other hand, 61% of the children had levels below 50 microgrammes. On average, higher levels were found in boys than girls and in children from the Črna na Koroškem municipality, which is on par with the average values of previous years, the NIJZ said on Tuesday.

High lead levels were also found in some children who were included in this year's screening due to their parents' wishes even though they are not aged three. These high values are linked to living in the most afflicted area or to occupational exposure of the children's parents.

"In the past three years, the results have been much better than in the 2016-2018 period," said the NIJZ, noting that the programme's target of less than 5% was near.

year after appearing in court on charges that he masterminded a massive prostitution operation in a club in western Slovenia.

Racman was released on Tuesday after the Higher Court turned down an appeal by the defence, which argued that Racman should not be released from custody, Večer newspaper reported.

The businessman was in detention since November, when he was extradited by Canada after more than a year on the run from Slovenian law enforcement.

The former owner and boss of the Kolosej cinema chain, Racman is the prime suspect in a case known as Marina, named after the club where roughly 400 prostitutes provided sex services to an estimated 150,000 clients over the course of several years.

Proceeds of crime from the operation are estimated at EUR 21 million. The money was allegedly used to finance a range of Racman's other business ventures.

Prostitution is not a crime in Slovenia, but abuse of prostitution is. Racman faces between one and twelve years in prison if found guilty.

He has pleaded not guilty and has maintained that he and his co-defendants had done nothing wrong since there was no coercion involved.

Racman is the subject of several other criminal procedures related to his other business ventures.

Check the date at the top of the page, and you can find all the "morning headlines" stories here. You can also follow us on Facebook and get all the news in your feed.

This summary is provided by the STA: 

Opposition tables motion of no confidence in justice and education ministers

LJUBLJANA - Four centre-left opposition parties, the Marjan Šarec List (LMŠ), the Social Democrats (SD), Left and Alenka Bratušek Party (SAB), tabled motions of no confidence in Justice Minister Marjan Dikaučič and Education Minister Simona Kustec. The main charge against Dikaučič is the failure to appoint Slovenia's delegated European prosecutors. Kustec has been accused of failings regarding getting schools ready for the new wave of the pandemic. Dikaučič said he saw the motion as "an integral part of politics" and a chance to "show what the ministry is doing in terms of the commitments in the coalition agreement." Kustec said she would respond to the allegations during the course of the debate at the National Assembly.

Farm ministers urge stronger urban-rural dialogue

BRDO PRI KRANJU - EU agriculture ministers called for a stronger dialogue between urban and rural areas as they held an informal meeting in Brdo pri Kranju. Slovenia's Jože Podgoršek said conflicts needed to be prevented with the help of better infrastructure and technology. He said the near-unanimous view was that "a multifaceted, multi-policy approach to rural development is needed," leveraging not just the EU's Common Agriculture Policy but also the post-pandemic recovery funds and cohesion funds.

Poklukar not founding new party but sees himself as minister after election

LJUBLJANA - Health Minister Janez Poklukar rejected speculation about him founding his own party in the run-up to the general election due next year. Talking with the STA in an interview, he said he did not intend to stand in the election, but should a chance arise, he sees himself continuing as health minister after the election. "It's true though that ministership is a political office. But I don't see myself as a politician, I see myself primarily as a healthcare expert," he said.

877 new coronavirus cases as ICU cases climb

LJUBLJANA - Slovenia reported 877 new coronavirus cases for Monday, the highest daily figure since 4 May. Data released by the government shows there were 229 patients hospitalised with Covid-19 in the morning, including 54 in intensive care, while two patients died yesterday. The National Institute of Public Health estimates that there are now 7,276 active cases in the country, with the 14-day incidence per 100,000 at 342 and the 7-day case count average at 599.

Epidemic cannot be excuse to undermine democracy, says Speaker Zorčič

LJUBLJANA/VIENNA, Austria - The Covid-19 epidemic cannot be an excuse for the undermining of democracy, said parliamentary Speaker Igor Zorčič as he attended the fifth World Conference of Speakers of Parliament in Vienna. Participating in a panel on efforts to mitigate the impact of the pandemic on democracy, he also presented the parliament's efforts to adjust to the new situation brought about by the pandemic, saying the circumstances had strengthened the chances of democratic decision-making.

Hojs points to cooperation in fight against firearms trafficking

LJUBLJANA - Interior Minister Aleš Hojs said cooperation was key to fighting firearms trafficking in SE Europe as he attended, as a representative of the Slovenian EU presidency, an online high-level meeting the European Commission organised on the issue in a bid to strengthen regional cooperation. "Establishing strong partnerships, particularly with our partners in the Western Balkans, has long been a priority of Slovenia's, which is the reason why it has been made one of the priorities of our EU presidency," Hojs said.

STA and UKOM agree to resume talks

LJUBLJANA - The Slovenian Press Agency (STA) and Government Communication Office (UKOM) agreed to resume talks aimed at signing the annual agreement to fund the STA public service as the two directors were hosted by President Borut Pahor for a meeting at the Presidential Palace. Addressing reporters after the talks, Pahor said both STA director Bojan Veselinovič and UKOM director Uroš Urbanija were willing to resume dialogue and agreed to make a genuine effort to amend the draft agreement for 2021 "so they can sign it shortly, in a reasonable time, thus seeing to settle the issue of regular STA funding".

Indecent behaviour amendments confirmed after change

LJUBLJANA - The Home Policy Committee confirmed an amendment to the act on public law an order regarding indecent behaviour. The original proposal envisaged fines for insulting senior officials, but the wording has been tweaked at the proposal of the coalition to make indecent behaviour towards anyone punishable by a fine. The power of the police to issue fines when they detect such conduct of their own motion has been preserved. While the particular amendment has been confirmed, the bill that implements all the amendments to the act has not been endorsed yet.

Income tax act tweak benefiting cross-border migrants rejected

LJUBLJANA - The parliamentary Finance Committee rejected amendments to the income tax act that would have reduced the tax burden on workers who commute across the border and pay higher taxes in Slovenia than they would in the countries where they work. The proposal, submitted by the Trade Union of Migrant Workers last December with the backing of 12,000 signatures, involved a higher general tax allowance and reduced taxation in the top bracket.

Trade union accuses medical schools of discrimination against non-EU students

LJUBLJANA/MARIBOR - Mladi Plus, a union representing students and young jobless, accused the Ljubljana and Maribor medical schools of turning down all non-EU citizens who wanted to get enrolled with a vague explanation, alleging "discrimination based on nationality". While the schools are yet to respond, the union alleges the candidates were told at the end of August, when they could no longer enrol at other colleges, that all the places had been reserved for Slovenians without Slovenian citizenship.

Slovenia, Germany and Portugal adopt schemes for patient inclusion in cancer research

LJUBLJANA - Slovenia, as part of the EU Trio Presidency together with Germany and Portugal, adopted a document on approaches to actively involve patients in cancer research. The aim is to coordinate national and European studies and to urge European countries to work together, the Slovenian Ministry of Education, Science and Sport said. "We have received a clear signal that patient involvement needs to become a more widespread protocol across Europe," Simona Kustec, Anja Karliczek and Manuel Heitor, the relevant ministers of Slovenia, Germany and Portugal, said.

Vilenica literary festival gets under way

LJUBLJANA - The 36th international literary festival Vilenica opened in Ljubljana with a conference examining the complex relationship between literature and war. Offering a mix of online and in-person events, the festival explores the broader theme of fear and courage. The Vilenica Prize will be conferred on Austrian writer Josef Winkler on Saturday. While the Slovenian author in focus is Milan Dekleva, this year's Vilenica anthology will feature contemporary Portuguese literature.

Montenegrin author Stefan Bošković wins CEI Prize at Vilenica

LJUBLJANA - Stefan Bošković, a Montenegrin writer, won the Central European Initiative (CEI) Prize for up-and-coming authors, conferred at the Vilenica literary festival. The 38-year-old has been honoured for his latest novel Minister. The political satire, which has already earned him the 2020 EU Prize for Literature, raises issues including the role of national culture in contemporary society and the chasm between the political elite and the people.

Jančar demands call for TV series based on his novel withdrawn

LJUBLJANA - As Slovenia is gearing up for its guest appearance at the 2023 Frankfurt Book Fair, the Culture Ministry wanted to have a mini series made based on Drago Jančar's award-winning novel I Saw Her That Night to promote the author at the fair. But the ministry had to withdraw the EUR 2 million call after being asked to do so by Jančar, who told Delo "the time is not right for such a call and any discussion on a film series".

Almost EUR 6bn in public contracts awarded last year

LJUBLJANA - A total of EUR 5.84 billion in public procurement contracts were awarded in Slovenia in 2020, contributing 12.62% to the country's GDP, 1.07 percentage points more than in 2019, according to a report by the Public Administration Ministry. The contracts were awarded by 2,133 contracting authorities. 752 of the public procurement EU-subsidised contracts were awarded, worth around EUR 573 million, which is an increase compared to 2019.

Paloma sales down, profit up

SLADKI VRH - Paloma, a maker of hygienic paper products, posted sales of EUR 73.5 million for 2020, down nine percent over the year before. Net profit was just shy of EUR 10 million, compared to EUR 1.6 million in the year before, according to the company's annual report. The company, owned by the Czech-Slovak group Eco Investment, posted earnings before income tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) of nearly EUR 7 million, 16% above plans.

Fugitive businessman released on EUR 800,000 bail

LJUBLJANA - Businessman Sergej Racman was released on an EUR 800,000 bail half a year after appearing in court on charges that he masterminded a massive prostitution operation in a club in western Slovenia. This comes after the Higher Court turned down an appeal by the defence, which argued that Racman should not be released from custody, Večer newspaper reported.

STA, 7 September - Mladi Plus, a union representing students, pupils and the jobless under 35, has accused the Ljubljana and Maribor medical faculties of turning down all non-EU citizens who wanted to get enrolled with a vague explanation, alleging "discrimination based on nationality". The STA is awaiting the medical schools to respond to the allegation.

Mladi Plus, or Youth Plus, said on Tuesday that some places at Slovenian faculties are annually reserved for ethnic Slovenians without citizenship and foreign students.

It said the non-EU candidates had been promised at open days that the Ljubljana and Maribor universities would accept all of them if they met entry requirements.

But at the end of August, when it was already too late to apply to study at other faculties, they were told their applications would not be even considered.

The explanation was that all the places had been reserved for Slovenians without Slovenian citizenship, which the trade union said had never happened before.

The union finds problematic the fact the candidates, who had turned to it for help, had received the news when it was too late to apply at other faculties.

The number of rejected candidates is 123, of whom 101 at the Ljubljana faculty, said Youth Plus, which is affiliated with the country's largest trade union association, ZSSS.

It also said the chancellors and deans do not respond to invitations for a meeting with the candidates, while university services said the rejected candidates had the right to appeal.

The trade union said that foreign students represent almost 10% of all students studying in Slovenia, of whom more than half come from the Western Balkans.

STA, 7 September 2021 - The Kranj Parish has renovated the bell tower of the local St. Cantianus Church, the most recognisable feature in Kranj's townscape, which was declared a cultural monument of national importance this year. Visitors are now able to climb the bell tower's 163 steps to enjoy panoramic views. 

The 60-metre bell tower reopened yesterday after renovation works started in late 2019. Apart from breath-taking views of the northern town, the visitors can also admire the Alps from a viewing platform at 40 metres of elevation.

Moreover, they can take a look at the bells in the belfry and learn more about the church that dates almost 600 years back.

The renovation cost some EUR 300,000 and had been delayed due to the epidemic, but its aim to preserve the church's heritage for future generations has been achieved, Kranj Parish priest Andrej Naglič told the press conference, which was held on the occasion of the reopening.

Kranj Mayor Matjaž Rakovec believes the new tourist attraction will be a great success. He also noted the historical heritage of the 15th century late Gothic church.

During the renovation of the interior, a 100-year-old beer bottle and a newspaper were found and have been put on display, Naglič said, adding that the renovation of the exterior would start in October.

The bell tower will be open for tours every day from 9am to 5pm.

Since February, the St. Cantianus Church has been known for the carillon or so-called Glockenspiel in its belfry, which plays church and folk tunes in what is the first such tourist attraction in the country.

"Such bells are common in Central and Western Europe and their installation brings us closer in a cultural sense to the area in which Kranj has always been embedded," Naglič said, adding that the carillon with its ten small bronze bells was another charming cultural attraction of the town.

STA, 6 September 2021 - President Borut Pahor will organise a meeting between the directors of the Slovenian Press Agency (STA) and the Government Communication Office (UKOM) on Tuesday in a bid to find a solution to "issues that resulted in suspension of financing of the STA public service".

Announcing the planned meeting, Pahor's office said the president had recently received a letter from STA director Bojan Veselinovič asking him for support in a renewed call to the government to restore financing of the STA.

The release noted that Pahor discussed the issue with Veselinovič and UKOM director Uroš Urbania in early December when he assessed the STA as a wire service "performs an important mission in the public interest, so its existence cannot be jeopardised".

Pahor called on the government and the STA management to resolve their differences in accordance with legislation.

A week ago, the STA notified Pahor as well as parliamentary Speaker Igor Zorčič and Prime Minister Janez Janša of the dire situation faced by the agency, which has not received the statutory state funding for the public service since the beginning of the year, and of the unwillingness by UKOM to engage in talks.

The STA staff also sent a letter to top EU officials to notify them of the situation and ask for their support in a renewed appeal to the government to "immediately and unconditionally provide funding for the STA".

Saying it had received the letter, the European Commission today reiterated its call to the Slovenian government to ensure independence and appropriate funding of the STA public service.

Zorčič too confirmed having received the letter, calling on everyone in the ruling coalition today to "show their commitment to democratic goals and reinstate what the government has a duty to pay and to allow normal work to all employees".

Zorčič also thanked the STA staff for "doing their job in the impossible situation".

In a judgement published today the Supreme Court established the government has a duty to finance the STA public service based on existing laws and regardless of the new government regulation.

In response, Tanja Fajon, the leader of the opposition Social Democrats (SD), sent an open letter to PM Janša urging for the state to immediately settle its back payments to the STA, while she called on UKOM director Urbanija to step down over the "debacle".

A call for immediate restoring of STA financing also came from Janja Sluga, a member of the non-affiliated group of MPs that also includes Zorčič, both of whom used to be members of the junior coalition Modern Centre Party (SMC).

She said the ruling "confirmed we were right when we insisted the STA act and our amendment to the 7th coronavirus relief act sufficed for STA financing.

Check the date at the top of the page, and you can find all the "morning headlines" stories here. You can also follow us on Facebook and get all the news in your feed.

This summary is provided by the STA: 

234 new coronavirus cases confirmed on Sunday

LJUBLJANA - Slovenia confirmed 234 new cases of coronavirus for Sunday, a week-on-week increase of more than 60%. The test positivity stood at 16.4%, show the latest data by the National Institute of Public Health (NIJZ). The 14-day incidence per 100,000 population rose by six to 323 and the seven-day rolling average of new daily cases rose to 550. Data released by the government shows 217 patients were treated for Covid-19 in hospitals this morning, including 45 in intensive care.

PCT rule expanded to number of activities

LJUBLJANA - As of today, the recovered-vaccinated-tested (PCT) rule is expanded to a number of sectors, including for staff in healthcare, public administration, education and training, social care, in-person retail and services, cultural activities, religious education and religious services. Masks are meanwhile mandatory in all indoor public spaces, and outdoors when it is not possible to keep a distance of at least 1.5 metres.

Slovenia can expect first EU recovery funds soon

BRUSSELS, Belgium - Slovenia can expect the first transfer of funds under the EU's recovery and resilience instrument very soon, European Commission Executive Vice-President Valdis Dombrovskis said after a virtual session of EU finance ministers. Finance Minister Andrej Šircelj said the financing agreement had already been signed and submitted to the Commission last week. Slovenia is entitled to an advance payment of EUR 231 million, which represents 13% of its EUR 2.5 billion national recovery and resilience plan.

Supreme Court says govt has duty to fund STA

LJUBLJANA/BELGIUM, Brussels - The Supreme Court reversed a decision by the Administrative Court to stay the government regulation on STA public service while saying the state has a duty to provide financing to the STA under the STA law and a provision in the 7th coronavirus relief law regardless of whether the annual agreement between the STA and the Government Communication Office (UKOM) has been signed or not and irrespective of the regulation. The STA welcomed the decision as an important precedent, dismissing UKOM's excuses for not paying the STA, while UKOM said the court upheld its arguments. This was as the European Commission made a renewed call on the Slovenian authorities to ensure independence and appropriate financing of the STA public service and President Borut Pahor said he would host the heads of the STA and UKOM tomorrow in a bid to resolve the issue.

Conference stresses role of nuclear energy in transition to low-carbon society

BLED - The 30th international conference Nuclear Energy for a New Europe 2021 opened in Bled, bringing together a record 220 experts from over 20 countries. The Nuclear Society of Slovenia (DJS), the organiser, stressed that nuclear energy, together with renewables, has the potential to play a key role in shaping a carbon-free energy future. The four-day conference is designed to foster ties between Slovenian and foreign nuclear experts, providing an opportunity for cooperation and know-how exchange.

Automotive giant Magna's Slovenian plant to be relaunched in early 2022

HOČE - Magna Steyr's Slovenian plant will relaunch production at the start of 2022, Magna Steyer vice president Erwin Fandl and David Adam, director of the Slovenian Magna plant in Hoče, told the press after meeting the Slovenian government and local authorities. Fandl said production would gradually return to the Hoče paint shop after almost a year and a half since the outbreak of the Covid-19 epidemic, as most of the Hoče employees had been working at the company's plant in Austria's Graz. Despite a difficult year, the Slovenian plant finished 2020 with a net profit of EUR 1.3 million.

Ban imposed on rallies of Covid deniers in front of RTV Slovenija

LJUBLJANA - The Ljubljana Administrative Unit acted upon a proposal from Ljubljana police to ban rallies of the coronavirus deniers who stormed the public broadcaster RTV Slovenija's headquarters on Friday. It told the STA the decision on the ban will enter into force as it is handed to the organiser of the rallies on Tuesday, 7 September. RTV Slovenija has filed criminal complaints against all those involved in Friday's incident, and plans to boost security.

Justice minister reportedly suspected of tax evasion

LJUBLJANA - Justice Minister Marjan Dikaučič is suspected of tax evasion at his previous job with prosecutors waiting since August 2020 for the court to decide on its motion to open a formal investigation, the news web portal 24ur reported. Dikaučič, who denies all allegations, faces charges of tax evasion and document falsification as the person in charge of the company BGA and the company Prevozi Žižek in receivership. Dikaučič told the portal he had handed the entire documentation to the police and had been heard by the court in 2019. "Since my signature on the documents was obviously falsified, I proposed to the court for a graphologist to verify the authenticity of the signature," he explained.

Army starts three-week training with allied forces

LJUBLJANA - The Slovenian Armed Forces are starting two military exercises to train with members of allied forces on the ground and in the air in several parts of Slovenia until 23 September. The first exercise, Rock Kleščman, will feature up to 950 Slovenian and US soldiers training infantry combat procedures assisted by aircraft and mortars. The second, Triglav Star 21, will bring together around 300 members of the Slovenian, British and US soldiers.

Union of blind and visually impaired receives Golden Order of Merit

LJUBLJANA - President Borut Pahor presented the Golden Order of Merit to the Union of Associations of the Blind and Partially Sighted of Slovenia. The union has earned the distinction through its success in promoting new and original solutions to the fundamental issues of blindness and visual impairment, according to Pahor's office.

STA, 6 September 2021 - The Ljubljana Administrative Unit has acted upon a proposal from Ljubljana police to ban rallies of the coronavirus deniers who stormed the public broadcaster's headquarters on Friday. It told the STA on Monday the decision on the ban will enter into force when it is handed to the organiser of the rallies on Tuesday.

The Ljubljana Police Department had unsuccessfully sought a ban back in July when a group of protesters already entered RTV Slovenija.

The Administrative Unit explained today it could not grant the request back then because the police had not presented "adequate reasons" to show such rallies would jeopardise lives or health. The police filed another proposal today, this time listing "adequate reasons" for the ban.

RTV Slovenija has meanwhile already filed criminal complaints against all those involved in Friday's incident, and plans to boost security around the broadcaster.

The broadcaster has sent a request to the Ljubljana municipality to purchase the land around the headquarters to erect a security fence.

The group of coronavirus deniers and anti-vaccination protesters managed to get into the newsroom studio before the police intervened and removed them.

Involved in the incident are believed to be a group led by ex-soldier Ladislav Troha and dubbed the Conscious Residents of Slovenia.

Troha could be seen on footage of the incident released by the public broadcaster.

The group has been protesting against Covid-19 containment measures and vaccination in front of RTV Slovenija for several months, harassing staff and demanding air time to be able to present their truth.

As can be seen on the eAdministration website, the group has reported its rallies in front of RTV Slovenija to hold them every day until the end of the year.

Its rallies are dubbed Peaceful Rally for the Liberation, Purification and Revival of RTV SLO and Slovenia.

The police investigation into the incident is ongoing after 44 violations of public law and order, 18 violations of the law on private security and 26 violations of the law on public assembly have already been established.

RTV Slovenija thanked all those who had expressed to it public support while regretting and condemning the fact that some had abused the incident on social media to imply that journalists were to be blamed for it.

STA, 6 September 2021 - The Supreme Court has reversed a decision whereby a lower court granted the STA's request to stay the government regulation on STA public service, but said the state has a duty to provide financing to the STA for 2021 in line with the agency's business plan.

The latest judgement comes after the government appealed against the Administrative Court's decision to stay the implementation of the regulation adopted by the government in June that introduces detailed rules governing the public service provided by the Slovenian Press Agency (STA) and its financing, which the STA is challenging on the grounds of its being unlawful.

In explaining its decision, the Supreme Court says the STA's founder - i.e. the state - has a duty to provide the funding of the STA public service under the STA act.

Thus a temporary stay of the regulation would not represent an obstacle to paying the STA for the public service because the basis for the payment already exists in the STA act, and in particular for 2021 in the 7th coronavirus relief act.

The court also says that it is irrelevant to the case which body will make the payments and what are the relationships between the government and its bodies.

The court also rejected the government's argument that the regulation needs to be implemented because the 7th coronavirus relief package does not determine which body has the obligation to supply the funds, saying it is the obligation of the state.

The court moreover disagrees with the government that the regulation is required because it provides the legals basis for monthly payments for this year as the only such provision.

The court notes that the STA act provides for monthly payments based on the annual agreement between the STA and the state. Even if there is no such agreement for this year, the coronavirus act provides for payments for 2021 in line with the STA business plan.

Nevertheless, the court granted the government's request to annul the temporary stay on the regulation for other reasons, saying the STA failed to prove it would get the payment in line with the business plan through a mere suspension of the regulation.

The STA hopes the explanations provided by the court "will make an end to excuses made by the Government Communication Office (UKOM) for continued failure to provide the financing".

UKOM director Uroš Urbanija has been claiming the office cannot pay the STA for the public service because the annual agreement has not been signed.

"It follows from the Supreme Court's judgement that it did not stay the government regulation on the STA public service exactly because the government has an obligation to provide monthly payments in 2021 directly based on the 7th coronavirus relief act," STA director Bojan Veselinovič said.

He hopes the latest decision will contribute to restoring financing and for talks with UKOM to resume, something the STA has been calling for.

The STA also believes the Supreme Court's decision sets an important legal precedent on the issue.

The STA has not received state payments for the public service it continues to provide since the beginning of the year, or for 249 days.